On top of the world in Cusco

I landed in Cusco after travelling for over 24 hours at 7:15am yesterday morning.  The flight was extraordinary.  Flying through the Andes, seeing snow capped mountains, the sun was rising on the mountains as far as the eye could see.  By far the most amazing plane ride I´ve ever experienced.  I was helped by a new friend I made in Lima airport Silvano, a gentleman from France who was planning on spending 8 months in South America.  We parted ways and I was officially on my own in Cusco. 

I wandered outside and was met by Miguel, holding a sign saying ¨Priya B¨- of course they couldn´t spell my last name, or it wouldn´t fit on the sign.  After about a twenty minute van ride we arrived at Maximo Nivel - the volunteer office/spanish school that would be my home base.  I met a guy named Yorn (sp?) from Germany who was in the same volunteer house as me.  We were taxied to our home.  We were smack dab in the middle of a traditional Cusco community.  Our home is amazing and very welcoming.  Nellie is our ¨mom¨ i guess you could say, she looks  after the house and cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner for us.  There are about 11 people in the house.  Each of the four levels holds 2-3 bedrooms and a bathroom.  There is a patio on the roof as well.  Each window overlooks the most breathtaking view of both the city and the mountains.  I couldn´t ask for more. 

My roommates took us to breakfast after I got settled into my room, too excited to realize that I hadn´t slept or showered in more than 24 hours.  We went to a quaint little cafe with a balcony overlooking the Plaza del Armas which sits in front of a cathedral, a large water fountain and plenty of shops.  The coffee is amazing here, and the food quite the same.  Since it was Sunday, there was a parade that was going on, with traditional costumes, and songs, and militia marching around the plaza.  We stayed, enjoyed conversation with my new friends, wonderful scenery and Peruvian music.  I was finally refreshed!  

After lunch we went home, no not to change and shower but to go on a hike.  This hike lasted 4 hours!  We went up to one of the ruins in Cusco known as Saqsaywamam which is a complex of Inca ruins. It was an outpost consisting of three outer walls (15m, 10m, & 7m) with three watch towers on top. It was a military post and a religious place with a temple and ceremonial plaza between the post & temple. Large stones were used to construct the outpost (360 t) with unique jointing methods in the walls. The site was destroyed by the Spanish and used as a quarry for pre cut stones for new construction in Cusco until 1930.  What made the ruins even more amazing was the view.  A view like I´ve never seen and will never be able to fully explain.  Some compare it to Machu Picchu but I haven´t yet experienced that view.  From there we walked over to the statue of Christo Blanco.  A large white statue of Jesus, many are found in South America, including the well known one in Brazil.  On the way we saw local kids playing soccer, eating lunch and singing.  Some of the kids were sliding down these stone made walls, resembling slides... looked like a lot of fun. It was amazing. 

After we got home, I finally had a moment to shower, in the cold.. no wait ice cold showers.. and take a moment to relax.  My roommates and I watched some tv, and I called it an early night.  I was utterly exhausted but was still smiling.  I´m so glad I came here, it is much more than I ever imagined.

Stay tuned.....